Our expertise
Checking in
The expertise begins on the Columbia Icefield Glacier Discovery Middle. After checking in, choose up meals at one of many eating places, choose up some presents, or peruse the interpretive shows to study concerning the space’s geology, wildlife, and wildlife.
We first checked in on the resort to drop off our baggage. Then we picked up lunch on the Chalet, a cafeteria model restaurant. Jacob often takes the secure guess, whereas I prefer to experiment with my meals selections. Why not have enjoyable with it? As a result of 90% of the time it backfires. In case you order right here, Jacob’s hen tenders with fries had been the way in which to go, particularly because the fries had been simply the way in which we favored them.
After we completed our meals, we bought in line for the bus.
Native Tip: There are not any restrooms obtainable in the course of the expertise, so ensure you go earlier than you go!
ATHABASCA Glacier
The bus journey is a brief journey from Discovery Centre. It takes you throughout the road to the bottom of the glacier the place you switch to an Ice Explorer. These big transport autos appear like one thing out of an area film and can get you safely onto the glacier. There are solely 23 on the earth, one in Antarctica and the remainder within the Columbia Icefields.
Picture tip: There are many home windows alongside the aspect and roof so you possibly can benefit from the view alongside the way in which, and when you’re hoping to take pictures and video, ensure you line up the place the window opens so you possibly can take pictures with out glare.
After arriving on the glacier, your driver provides you with time to satisfy once more on the Ice Explorer, and you’re free to roam. We had about 25 minutes on the glacier which was sufficient.
There’s a demarcated space the place you possibly can stroll round freely. The ropes could also be annoying for pictures, however security is paramount. Convey one water bottle so you possibly can style the glacier water.
Native tip: It is often about 15°C cooler on the glacier than within the Discovery Centre, and it is usually windy, so pack accordingly! Jacob and Rob had been undoubtedly a lot hotter than I used to be in them sleeping bag rompers.
The Columbia Icefield Skywalk
When our time was up, the Ice Explorer returned us to the bus and we headed north for about 10 minutes to the Skywalk. The glass-floored Skywalk takes you over the sting of a cliff 280 meters above the valley ground, the place you possibly can take pleasure in views of the Canadian Rockies.
There are a number of interpretive indicators alongside the brief stroll, and if you wish to study extra concerning the historical past and geology, in addition they have guided excursions! We did not do the tour however stopped by to view the bones of a bighorn sheep and mountain goats. .
Not like different Skywalks we have been to, we did not need to put on overshoes. They ask you to wipe them on the mats earlier than strolling on the glass. We had been additionally in a position to take our personal pictures and stroll at our personal tempo.
As soon as we had been carried out we went again to the automobile park the place they’ve buses a number of instances an hour to select up anybody who is finished and take them again to the Discovery Centre. You possibly can keep as lengthy or as brief as you want!
Native Tip: This season, a household of mountain goats lives below the bridge. We noticed one sleeping on the cliff.
